NODDS PRODUCTS

NODDS PRODUCTS There are numerous environmental products available from NODDS. Meteorological products include surface pressure, pressure heights (up to 200 hPa), cloud cover and precipitation data, high wind and high seas warnings, and tropical cyclone warnings. Oceanographic products include sea/swell height, period, and direction data, sea surface temperature data, mixed layer depth data, fronts and eddies data, and various acoustic path range products. Satellite imagery (DMSP only) can also be downloaded. Figure 2-4 is an example of a surface pressure analysis with a horizontal weather depiction (HWD) overlay. NODDS PROCESSING AND DISPLAY FEATURES NODDS allows users to select the geographical area of interest and desired products via mouse point and click options. Once the area and data selections are complete, automatic access to the FNMOC model data base is made via a dial-in connection. Since the geography information is resident in the user’s PC, only gridded environmental data covering the area of interest is downloaded. This data is compressed, thus keeping tile size, access time, and communications costs to a minimum. There are several processing, display, and annotation options as NODDS gives the user the flexibility to view data in the way most appropriate for shading, 3-dimensional plots, and synoptic station model plots. In addition, Skew-T diagrams, streamlines, oceanographic temperature profiles, and ocean temperature cross sections can also be plotted. HWD charts can be constructed by simply clicking on the applicable weather symbol icons that are provided with the program. As mentioned, a significant advantage of NODDS is that it provides the capability to define an area of interest and display different types of data for that area. All standard meteorological fields available from FNMOC can be displayed along with a wide number of oceanographic and acoustic products. NODDS has the capability to overlay up to three different fields, or display individual sequence loops. Fields can also be zoomed for more detail, and sent to a graphics capable printer. The Navy Oceanographic Data Distribution System (NODDS) Manual, FLENUMETOCCEN Publication 3147, can be downloaded from the FNMOC website. The Navy Oceanographic Data Distribution System Products Manual describes the applications and limitations of various products available from NODDS. A list of available NODDS products is also contained in the FNMOC Products Manual, FLENUMETOCCEN P-3140. In rare instances, NODDS may be obtained via AUTODIN message. The ship or activity requests the area of coverage and the desired products. FNMOC then incorporates the data into a composite file and transmits the information via radio message (or e-mail). This data can then be saved to diskette and uploaded on the application. Display options allow for contouring, a PC. Figure 2-4.—Example of NODDS surface pressure analysis with HWD overlay. 2-15